In the UK, there are an estimated one million, one hundred thousand people over the age of 65 who are chronically lonely (Victor et al, 2005). 

In 2015, a report by the Campaign to End Loneliness, Hidden Citizens, explored current understandings of and approaches to identifying loneliness and offered innovative insights into how policymakers and healthcare  professionals can improve their outreach. Since its launch, public and political attention to loneliness has continued to sharpen as the social, economic and moral case for tackling loneliness grows in awareness, evidence and support.